GRAND VALLEY, ON, May 9, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Last Chance for Animals released an undercover investigation today documenting animal cruelty and health related non-compliance issues at Sheik Halal Farms, in Grand Valley Ontario. The investigation documented chickens being subjected to repeated incidences of undue suffering, avoidable pain and distress. The findings were submitted in formal complaints to both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Ontario Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs that included violations of animal welfare and food handling practices. The complaint further describes other grave non-compliant issues in regard to handling and transportation violations. Birds transported in crates caked in fecal matter, urine and blood were moved straight onto the meat processing line. LCA's investigator also documented birds with bacterial infections.

"This investigation revealed numerous disturbing incidents of apparent animal abuse, disturbing practices and possible violations of food handling safety procedures that should push regulatory agencies into action and anger not only those that care about animals, but consumers who mistakenly think producers can be trusted." - Hayden Hunter, Director of Investigations, Last Chance for Animals.

Possible False Representation of Halal Food Sheik Halal Farms serves close to 700,000 Canadians of Muslim faith throughout Ontario and Quebec as well as restaurants catering to the needs of those communities. The investigation into its practices also found that halal practices were possibly not being met on many occasions.

Last Chance for Animals (LCA) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation through education, investigations, legislation, and media attention. LCA believes that animals are highly sentient creatures who exist for their own reasons independent of their service to humans; they should not be made to suffer for the latter. LCA opposes the use of animals in food and clothing production, scientific experimentation, and entertainment and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle and the ascription of rights to non-human beings.